Date: Fri 16-Jul-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

conservation-Avalon-Kings-Mark

Full Text:

Environmental Review Delays Avalon Hearing

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Avalon Bay Communities, Inc, the developer of the proposed 304-unit Avalon at

Newtown rental apartment complex envisioned for 178 Mt Pleasant Road in

Hawleyville, has agreed to allow an unconditional independent environmental

review of its 40.7-acre site, resulting in the Conservation Commission's

public hearing on wetland construction aspects of the project being postponed

from July 14 to September 8.

On July 8, Avalon approved allowing the King's Mark Environmental Review Team

of Haddam to inspect the property, according to C. Stephen Driver,

conservation official.

There was much negotiation between the town and Avalon to have an

environmental review done, he said. Avalon had earlier given its permission

for a King's Mark review, but had placed "unacceptable conditions" on it, Mr

Driver said. On July 8, Avalon lifted those conditions, allowing the King's

Mark review process to proceed as it normally does, he said. King's Mark will

perform the review at the request of the Conservation Commission and Planning

and Zoning Commission (P&Z).

The Avalon proposal, which represents the largest single private residential

complex ever proposed locally, is now the subject of three technical reviews:

King's Mark, which will provide an independent review; Fuss and O'Neill, Inc,

of Manchester, which will provide an engineering review for the town; and

Milone and MacBroom, Inc, of Cheshire, which is the developer's engineering

firm.

The development site is in the headwaters of the Pond Brook watershed. The

town is asking King's Mark conservation and natural resource experts to review

aspects of the property including soils, topography, geology, hydrology, water

quality, forestry, vegetation, wildlife habitat, wetlands, land use, site

design, traffic, access, storm water management, overall design, archaeology

and recreational potential.

The property is heavily wooded and has very steep terrain. The site contains

bedrock, valleys and wetlands.

According to the town's application for a King's Mark study, a flood hazard

analysis of the property will be performed. The development is expected to be

a major generator of traffic on Mt Pleasant Road. More than half of the

frontage of the property is a wetland which drains alongside Mt Pleasant Road

toward Pocono Brook.